Understanding the New BSI A1:2026 Guidelines: What Employers Need to Know

The British Standards Institution (BSI) has released BS 8599‑1:2019+A1:2026, published on 30 April 2026, marking a significant update to the UK’s benchmark standard for workplace first aid kits. These changes strengthen expectations around kit contents, risk‑based provision, and—critically—the placement of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in workplaces.

This article breaks down what’s new, why it matters, and how organisations can prepare.

What Is BS 8599‑1:2019+A1:2026?

The updated standard sets out:

The required contents of workplace first aid kits
The specification of containers
Guidance on the provision and placement of AEDs
Recommendations on quantities and sizes of kits based on workplace risk and staffing levels
Guidance on supplementary kits, including personal‑issue kits and critical‑injury packs

These updates ensure that first aid provision keeps pace with modern risks, technology, and employer responsibilities.

Key Changes Introduced in A1:2026

1. Stronger Emphasis on AED Provision

For the first time, the standard explicitly integrates AEDs into workplace first aid planning. It outlines:

When AEDs should be provided
How they should be positioned
How they complement existing first aid kits
Highlight that workplace AEDs are no more than 2 minutes away from ANY first aid incident.

This reflects the growing national focus on early defibrillation and aligns with public‑health priorities.

2. Updated Kit Contents

The amendment refines what must be included in small, medium, and large workplace kits. While the full contents list is contained within the standard itself, the update ensures:

Better alignment with contemporary injury patterns
Improved support for treating severe bleeding injuries
More consistent expectations across industries

3. Revised Risk‑Based Recommendations

Annex A provides updated guidance on:

How many kits are required
What size should they be
How to scale provision for higher‑risk environments

This ensures employers can more accurately match their first aid resources to their operational realities.

4. Supplementary Kits for Specific Needs

Annex B offers guidance on:

Personal‑issue kits for lone workers
Critical‑injury packs recommended for workplaces with elevated trauma risk, including forestry operations, security roles, construction and rail environments, and agricultural sectors.”

This supports employers in meeting their duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act and associated regulations.

5. Clarification on Vehicle Kits

The standard confirms that BS 8599‑2 remains the correct reference for vehicle first aid kits. The new amendment does not replace or supersede it.

Why the Update Matters

The A1:2026 amendment arrives at a time when:

Workplaces face more diverse risks
Public expectations around emergency response are rising
AEDs are becoming standard in community and workplace settings
Employers must demonstrate robust, evidence‑based first aid provision, including the need for AEDs in the workplace

Adopting the updated standard helps organisations:

Strengthen compliance
Improve emergency preparedness
Reduce response times in life‑threatening situations
Demonstrate due diligence to regulators and insurers

How Employers Should Prepare

1. Review Current First Aid Provision

Audit your existing risk assessments and first aid equipment against the new A1:2026 Standard, ensuring AEDs are positioned so they can reach any first aid incident within 2 minutes. This may require updating First Aid SOPs so AED deployment becomes automatic at every incident. This aligns directly with the new Standard and the revised Resuscitation Council UK guidance, which reinforces the expectation that an AED must be immediately accessible wherever they are positioned.

2. Update First Aid Equipment

Ensure contents match the updated specifications for your workplace size and risk category.

3. Assess AED Requirements

Determine whether AEDs should be added, relocated, or increased in number.

4. Train Staff

Ensure first aiders are confident in using updated equipment, including AEDs. Remote First Aid can support organisations and employers in training staff to deliver in-house, cost-effective training or deliver training directly to their teams.

5. Document Everything

Maintain clear records of assessments, decisions, and updates—critical for compliance.

Conclusion

The BSI A1:2026 update represents a meaningful step forward in modernising workplace first aid expectations. By strengthening AED guidance, refining kit contents, and sharpening risk‑based recommendations, the standard helps employers create safer, more responsive environments.

Remote First Aid can support all organisations, from sole traders, SME’s to large international corporations. Below are some of the organisations we train and support that already provide AEDs in the workplace, protecting their staff, service users and visitors to their sites and premises.